Pour spout

ABSTRACT

An integral pour spout for use with waxed paper cartons and the like is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment a tubular spout connects with a hollow cone-shaped piercing element, and a radially extending flange is provided at the juncture. A rootless multiple thread is provided at the exterior of the cone-shaped piercing element and the multiple thread is supported by interior axially extending, spaced-apart ribs within the cone. The tip of the cone-shaped element is used to puncture a waxed paper carton, and the spout is then threaded into the top of the carton. The adjacent waxed paper is threaded and forced against sealing elements on the flange. Although the preferred embodiment appears to be complex, it is an easily molded integral piece which provides adequate but controlled flow, and seals firmly without drip or dribble between the spout and the carton. After the carton is empty, the spout is unthreaded and can be reused with another carton.

United States Patent [191 Corty, Sr. et al.

[111 3,768,698 [451 Oct. 30, 1973 POUR SPOUT [75] Inventors: Richard Corty, Sr., Barrington;

Edward P. lversen, Fox River, both of III.

[73] Assignee: Cor-Sen Plastic, Ltd., Chicago, Ill.

[22] Filed: Sept. 20, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 182,042

[52] U.S. Cl. 222/91 51 Int. Cl B67b 7/26 [58] Field of Search 222/91, 90, 89

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,007,449 7/1935 Kernodle et a]. 222/90 1,249,577 12/1917 White 222/91 3,278,083 10/1966 Seratini 222/91 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 3,261 2/1903 Great Britain 222/91 550,198 12/1957 Canada 222/91 Primary Examiner-Samuel F. Coleman Assistant Examiner-Norman L. Stack, Jr. Att0rneyGreist, Lockwood, Greenawalt & Dewey [57] ABSTRACT An integral pour spout for use with waxed paper cartons and the like is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment a tubular spout connects with a hollow coneshaped piercing element, and a radially extending flange is provided at the juncture. A rootless multiple thread is provided at the exterior of the cone-shaped piercing element and the multiple thread is supported by interior axially extending, spaced-apart ribs within the cone.

The tip of the cone-shaped element is used to puncture a waxed paper carton, and the spout is then threaded into the top of the carton. The adjacent waxed paper is threaded and forced against sealing elements on the flange. Although the preferred embodiment appears to be complex, it is an easily molded integral piece which provides adequate but controlled flow, and seals firmly without drip or dribble between the spout and the carton.

After the carton is empty, the spout is unthreaded and can be reused with another carton.

7 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PAIENTEDUCT 30 ms SHEET 20F 2 POUR SPOUT This invention relates to a pour spout for use with waxed paper cartons, such as milk cartons, and the like.

Millions of waxed paper cartons are used almost daily to package and distribute milk and other edible liquids. These cartons have been usuallyopened by peeling apart a sealed portion of a gusset or fold in the carton top and withdrawing an involuted fold to provide a relatively large, usually diamond-shaped, opening at the top edge of the carton. The maximum size of the opening is roughly proportional to the size of the carton, and the most serious pouring problems which have been encountered heretofore have been in connection with the use of the relatively large containers, for example, with the half gallon and gallon size milk cartons.

Large families with small children are likely users of the half gallon and gallon size milk cartons. Therefore, it is perhaps inevitable that children will pour or attempt to pour milk from such cartons. Moreover many parents consider it desirable and necessary that the children learn to help out by pouring milk, etc. at an early age. However, because of the size of the opening, a relatively full carton tends to discharge an excessive quantity of milk when the carton is tipped slightly. On the other hand, a partly filled carton tends to generate a surge or wave of milk which gushes from the container as the wave or surge reaches the diamondshaped mouth. This excessive discharge of milk from the mouth of the container has oftentimes resulted in spilling of milk over tables, chairs, and floor coverings.

Moreover, even in connection with the use of relatively small sized containers such as for example the pint sized cream containers, many consider the peelapart pull-out pour spouts which are provided with the widely used waxed paper milk cartons to be relatively undesirable from a sanitary viewpoint. For example, even though the peel-apart step of the opening of the container is relatively sanitary, children have been observed to reach behind the fold with their fingers to pull out or adjust the pour spout, with the result that the pouring lip can be considered to be no longer reliably sanitary.

Various pour spout devices have been suggested. Some of the pour spout devices heretofore suggested have been relatively complicated, difficult to manufacture, and none that we know of provide an adequate seal to prevent dribble or leakage of the fluid contents from between the carton and the spout. Some of the suggested structures utilize many assembled parts such as washers and the like, and are difficult to clean after use as well as being cumbersome to manufacture.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a spout which is easily attached to a waxed paper carton, or the like, to provide controlled adequate flow.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an integral pour spout for use with waxed paper cartons, and the like, which is simply and economically manufactured, for example, by relatively simple injection molding.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an integral pour spout for use with waxed paper cartons and the like which can be made in injection molding equipment without additional assembly steps.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a high performance pour spout construction which does not require the use of separate sealing elements such as washers, or the like.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a pour spout which is readily sanitized, and which can be installed without contamination of the pouring lip.

These and other objects which will be apparent hereinafter are all achieved in accordance with the present invention which is disclosed herein and which is further illustrated with the aid of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a reduced scale perspective fragmentary view of the upper portion of a half gallon waxed paper milk carton having the pour spout in accordance with the present invention attached thereto;

FIG. 2 is an elevational side view of the pour spout of the present invention shown in FIG. 1, except that the cap has been removed, and the number of threads in the multiple thread is shown reduced in order to clarify and simplify the illustration;

FIG. 3 is a top view, that is a view from the top of the spout as shown in FIG.2;

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of a pour spout as shown in FIG. 2, that is, similar to the view taken from the pointed end of the spout except that it shows a quadruple thread;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken approximately along the line 55 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a schematic fragmentary cross-sectional view taken approximately along the line 6-6 of FIG. 2 showing only those structures immediately adjacent the cross-section plane; and

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken to the spout in accordance with the present invention when it is attached to a carton, e.g. as shown in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 2, 5 and 7 are shown at 2X scale with respect to the size of a preferred embodiment, and FIGS. 3, 4, and 6 are shown at 3X scale of the same preferred embodiment. The more enlarged views are provided for the purpose of enhancing the clarity of the illustrations.

Referring now to FIG. 1 of the drawings, a waxed paper carton is generally indicated at 10 and a pour spout in accordance with the present invention is generally indicated at 10 and a pour spout in accordance with the present invention is generally indicated at 12. Spout 12 is shown attached to sloping top panel 14 of carton 10, and the spout 12 shown in FIG. 1 is covered by cap 16.

Referring now to FIG. 2, spout 12 is shown with cap 16 removed. Spout 12 can be regarded as comprising three major portions, namely hollow conical piercing portion 18, hollow cylindrical pour spout portion 20 and radially extending flange portion 22. Piercing cone portion 18 comprises multiple threads 24 which are integral with, and therefore supported by axially extending inner ribs 26 on the outside surface thereof. Inner ribs 26 are relatively widely spaced apart in the region of flange portion 22, and extend axially from the flange 22 and radially inwardly as seen in FIG. 2, to converge at a sharp point 28. There is a relatively wide space between adjacent threads 24, and furthermore there is no connection between threads along the middle of cone 18 except at ribs 26. In this sense threads 24 can be regarded as rootless. There is also a relatively wide spacing between adjacent ribs 26, and they are joined to one another along the middle of cone 18 only by threads 24. Thus a large number of passageways 30 are provided between respective adjacent ribs 26 and threads 24. The passageways 30 are larger near flange 22, and progressively decrease in size toward tip 28. The interior of cone portion 18 is hollow, and the interior 32 of cone portion 18 is hollow, as perhaps best seen in FIG. 6.

The hollow interior 32 of cone portion 18 is in direct communication with, and can be regarded as a continuation of the hollow interior or conduit 34 within spout 20 and flange 22. Thus, liquid passes through openings 30 into the conduit comprising inner regions 32 and 34 for discharge through mouth 35 of pour spout 12. I

Spout portion 20 extends any desirable length from flange portion 22 and preferably includes cylindrical wall portion 36 which includes an end portion 37 adapted to receive cap 16, and spout portion preferably includes a plurality of axially extending outer ribs 39.

Radially extending flange portion 22 includes an annular recess 42 and a secondary recess 43 at the axially facing end adjacent conical piercing section 18. Secondary recess 43 is defined at its radially outward limit by sharp inner ring 44. However, two sharp annular, axially extending rings including an inner ring 44 and an outer ring 46 are provided. It is noted that inner ring 44 does not extend axially as far as outer ring 46 and extends axially along annular path which is positioned radially outwardly of the adjacent threads 24. The spacing between ring 44 and thread ends 48, 49, 50, 51 is close enough to permit a fold of the waxed paper to be forced therebetween. These sharp axially extending annular elements 44, 46 provide important sealing and stabilizing functions in cooperation with other elements in the combination of the present invention.

Having now described a specific preferred embodiment, we turn to a discussion of the invention in some of its broader aspects.

It is absolutely essential, in accordance with this invention, that threads 24 be multiple threads, that is, a double thread, triple thread, and more preferably a quadruple thread. Also, larger multiples can be used.

In order to more clearly illustrate the preferred embodiment, the threads 24 on conical piercing portion 18 are shown in FIG. 2 in a relatively widely spacedapart condition, and at a lead angle which would be more illustrative of a double thread, rather than the quadruple thread which is actually used. This representation in FIG. 2 is made primarily for the purpose of clarifying and simplifying FIG. 2, whereas in the most preferred embodiment, a quadruple thread is used. Such a quadruple thread is actually shown in more greatly enlarged views of FIG. 4, and 6. Thus, as viewed in FIG. 4, the four endings 48, 49, 50, 51 of the quadruple threads 24 occur within secondary recess 43. FIG. 6 also shows that the axially extending, radially inwardly tapering ribs 26 are integral with helical threads These ribs 26 provide great structural strength and absorb and withstand the axially exerted compressive force which is exerted as piercing tip 28 is punched through' panel 14 while the user grasps spout portion 20. Ribs 26 also provide support for helical threads 24 and the integral construction provides ample strength for withstanding the forces applied as cone section 18 is threaded into panel 14.

The use of multiple threads has been found to be absolutely essential for use in accordance with the present invention. A single thread has been found to result from a pour spout which is readily cocked in its installed position with the result that the flange 22 would pivot away from panel 14 and permit leakage to occur. The use of multiple threads, and particularly the use of the more preferred embodiment using triple or quadruple threads in thecombination ofv the present invention have been found to result reliably in a leak proof stable structure upon attachment to a carton.

Referring now to FIG. 7, it will be appreciated that as the pour spout of the present invention is threaded into the waxed paper panel, the portion of the paper which is adjacent the threads becomes tapped and threaded and tears do not propagate radially to such an extent that leaks develop. Moreover, as threading continues, annular ring 46 engages panel 14 and movement of cone 18 past panel 14 stops. Portion 60 is urged axially outwardly into recess 42, and forced into recess 42, and forced into the inner secondary annular recess 43 between inner ring 44 and cone portion 18 by continued threading forces, as will be explained more fully hereinafter.

When spout 12 is threaded into panel 14, and tightened, annular ring 46 bears against the face of panel 14, and prevents spent 12 from further penetrating carton 10. However the continued exertion of the angular rotational threading forces results in the urging of adjacent portion 60 of panel 14 by multiple threads 24, and particularly by terminal portions 48, 49, S0, 51, axially outwardly with respect to spout l2 and thus forces portion 60 into secondary annular recess 43. The result is that the portion 60 is shaped to conform to annular recess 43 and bears tightly against annular recess 43. Also, the sharp end of ring 44 bears tightly against panel 14 and radially outwardly positioned ring 46 likewise bears tightly against panel 14 and assists in the stabilizing as well as scaling function.

Thus, in order to install the pour spout of the present invention in a waxed paper carton, for example, sharp tip 28 is used to start the penetration, and as soon as tip 28 is inserted, spout 12 is rotated to thread piercing portion 18 through panel 14. The number of threading turns which will be required will depend, of course, on the number and pitch of the threads. With the multiple threads which are used in accordance with the present invention the threaded insertion is completed in a conveniently small number of turns. Nonetheless, it has been found that it is virtually impossible to over-thread the pour spout 12 into panel 14. Surprisingly, the insertion merely stops when the threading has been completed and under even more than normal force, the threads formed in the paper do not strip. While we do not want to be bound by any theories, it is our belief, based on repeated observation, that the compaction of portion 60 within secondary recess 43 and between thread ends 48, 49, 50, 51 and ring 44, generates so much pressure and friction that over-threading is arrested at the proper sealing insertion. p Thus, in the illustrated preferred embodiment, the pour spout of the present invention fashions and shapes the orifice portion 60 of panel 14 to conform to annular recess 43, and binds annular adjacent portion 60 of carton 14 between terminal portions 48, 49, 50, and 51, of threads 24 and ring 44 to seal and firmly secure pour spout 12 to carton panel 14.

After the carton is emptied, the pour spout 12 is conveniently removed by reversing the threading rotation of spout 12 through a relatively small angle to release spout 12. Upon separation of spout 12 from panel 14, orifice portion 60 is seen to be elevated above panel 14 as a short cylindrical column and is reminiscent of the end of a shotgun shell, except that its interior is threaded. I

The spout 12 is conveniently flushed clean with soap and water and is reusable idefinitely.

In the preferred embodiment, pour spout 12 is injection molded using tough, relatively hard plastic material.

It is absolutely essential, in accordance with the present invention, that piercing section 18 be completely free of substantially straight axially extending radial outer ribs, fins, or flutes such as those employed in many carton-insertion pour spouts heretofore suggested. We have discovered that axially extending radial outer ribs cause tears to start in the paper, at the radially outward extreme of the rib, and it is virtually impossible to arrest the propagation of such tears as penetration of the spout continues. The radial ribinitiated tears thus almost always extend beyond a reasonably sized sealing element with the result that leakage is likely to occur. In accordance with the present invention, however, a large number of relatively small tears are generated in the panel 14 as conical piercing section 18 is threaded therethrough. Moreover, the radial propagation of these tears has been found to be arrested as a result of the combined cooperative action of the various elements of the present invention to such an extent that drippage, leakage, and dribbling between or under or around the sealing element 12 and panel 14 is substantially non-existent.

Hence in accordance with the present invention a highly reliable seal is established between the pour spout l2 and panel 14 without the use of washers or other separate, assembled sealing elements. Moreover,

in accordance with the present invention, pour spout 12 is reliably and firmly secured to panel 14. This is believed to be the result of the tapping of orifice portion 60 by threads 24 during the threading insertion of the conical piercing section 18 of spout 12, with the result that ends 48, 49, 50, 51 of the respective threads 24 firmly engage the threaded orifice 60 and uniformly compress the adjacent carton portion 60 against the side of sealing ring 44. Also, as explained above, the flange portion 22, in addition to providing support for rings 44, 46 assist these elements in the stabilization of pour spout 12 in regard to resisting a wiggling movestructural complexity is only apparent, and that the design lends itself to manufacture by highly satisfactory, convenient, relatively simple, injection molding technique. In the preferred method of manufacture, a core pin conforming to the shape of passages 32 and 34, and having a generally conical end portion with axially extending linear recesses corresponding to inner ribs 26, is used in conjunction with a pair of mold cavities which separate at flange 22. The upper mold cavity is shaped to correspond to the spout portion 20 and part of flange 22, and is preferably provided as a rotatable mold insert through which the core pin can move axially, to sealingly butt against the lower mold surfaces between the mold recesses corresponding to threads 24. After the plastic material is injected between the core pin and the respective mold halves, the core pin is axially withdrawn a distance sufficient to clear ribs 26. The mold insert which provides the upper mold cavity corresponding to the outer surface of spout portion 39 is rotated slightly. This rotation, due to the engagement of outer ribs 39 with the cavity insert, causes the conical piercing portion 18 to be threaded out of the lower mold cavity at least a sufficient distance to permit axial withdrawal of piercing portion 18 from the lower cavity. Thus, it will be appreciated that, rather than being unnecessarily complex, the unique design of the conical piercing portion results in an utterly simple manufacturing process in which the entire pour spout, and particularly the piercing portion 18, can be made in a single injection molding step. This eliminates the need for drilling holes, and the like, to provide channels through which liquid may pass into the spout section 39.

It is preferred that the cone shaping mold have such a configuration that the cone section 18 continues its outward taper within ring 44. However, the unique threaded piercing element is useful for pour spouts which do not include recess 43, as well.

As a result of tests performed with the illustrated preferred embodiment of pour spout 12, it is clear that the pour spout 12 provides an ample but controlled flow of liquid and greatly simplifies the task of pouring milk and other liquids from filled or partially filled cartons. The task is much more easily and safely performed by children when spout 12 is employed.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications, changes, additions and revisions can be made in the invention, without departing from the spirit or scope thereof. The specific preferred embodiment described herein is provided for the purpose of illustration only, and the invention is not to be limited thereby but is to be limited only by the claims appended hereto.

We claim:

1. An integral pour spout with means for selfattachment for use with waxed paper cartons and the like comprising a conical piercing portion, a discharge spout portion, and a radially extending flange portion between said conical portion and said spout portion, wherein the conical piercing portion is hollow and consists essentially of a point, spaced-apart inner ribs extending axially between said flange portion and said point, said ribs extending axially from said flange portion and radially inwardly to converge at said point and multiple threads supported on the outside surface of said axially extending inner ribs, said multiple threads being rootless at the portions thereof extending between adjacent ribs, wherein passageways to the hollow piercing portion are provided between the threads and between the spaced-apart inner ribs.

2. The pour spout of claim 1 wherein the multiple thread is a quadruple thread integral with the spacedapart ribs.

3. The pour spout of claim 1 wherein the radially extending flange portion includes a radial face adjacent the conical piercing portion, said face having a substantial annular recess therein adjacent the conical portion,

said recess being adapted for receiving an annular fold of paper from a waxed paper carton therein.

4. The pour spout of claim 3 wherein said recess includes a pair of concentric annular, axially extending,

sharply pointed ridges including a radially inward ridge which extends axially in the direction of the conical piercing portion for a shorter distance than the outer of the two concentric rings, and wherein said fold is formed between said threads and said inner annular ridge. 7

5. An integral pour spout with means for selfattachment for use with waxed paper cartons and the like comprising a conical piercing portion, a discharge spout portion, and a radially extending flange portion between said conical portion and said spout portion, wherein the conical piercing portion is hollow and consists essentially of a point, a plurality of spaced-apart axially extending inner ribs and multiple threads supported on the outside surface of and integral with said plurality of axially extending, inner, spaced-apart ribs, said ribs extending from said flange portion to said point, said multiple threads being rootless in those portions thereof extending between said ribs, wherein access passageways to the hollow-piercing portion areprovided between the threads and between the spacedapart ribs, and wherein the radially extending flange portion includes a radial face adjacent said conical piercing portion, said radial face-including an annular recess adjacent said conical piercing portion, the radially outward limit of said recess being defined by a sharply pointed annular axially extending extension of said flange portion which annular extension is positioned radially outwardly from the widest part of said conical piercing portion, and radially outwardly from a terminal portion of said. multiple threads a sufficient distance to permit said threads to force a fold of matefactured from a plastic. 

1. An integral pour spout with means for self-attachment for use with waxed paper cartons and the like comprising a conical piercing portion, a discharge spout portion, and a radially extending flange portion between said conical portion and said spout portion, wherein the conical piercing portion is hollow and consists essentially of a point, spaced-apart inner ribs extending axially between said flange portion and said point, said ribs extending axially from said flange portion and radially inwardly to converge at said point and multiple threads supported on the outside surface of said axially extending inner ribs, said multiple threads being rootless at the portions thereof extending between adjacent ribs, wherein passageways to the hollow piercing portion are provided between the threads and between the spacedapart inner ribs.
 2. The pour spout of claim 1 wherein the multiple thread is a quadruple thread integral with the spaced-apart ribs.
 3. The pour spout of claim 1 wherein the radially extending flange portion includes a radial face adjacent the conical piercing portion, said face having a substantial annular recess therein adjacent the conical portion, said recess being adapted for receiving an annular fold of paper from a waxed paper carton therein.
 4. The pour spout of claim 3 wherein said recess includes a pair of concentric annular, axially extending, sharply pointed ridges including a radially inward ridge which extends axially in the direction of the conical piercing portion for a shorter distance than the outer of the two concentric rings, and wherein said fold is formed between said threads and said inner annular ridge.
 5. An integral pour spout with means for self-attachment for use with waxed paper cartons and the like comprising a conical piercing portion, a discharge spout portion, and a radially extending flange portion between said conical portion and said spout portion, wherein the conical piercing portion is hollow and consists essentially of a point, a plurality of spaced-apart axially extending inner ribs and multiple threads supported on the outside surface of and integral with said plurality of axially extending, inner, spaced-apart ribs, said ribs extending from said flange portion to said point, said multiple threads being rootless in those portions thereof extending between said ribs, wherein access passageways to the hollow piercing portion areprovided between the threads and between the spaced-apart ribs, and wherein the radially extending flange portion includes a radial face adjacent said conical piercing portion, said radial face including an annular recess adjacent said conical piercing portion, the radially outward limit of said recess being defined by a sharply pointed annular axially extending extension of said flange portion which annular extension is positioned radially outwardly from the widest part of said conical piercing portion, and radially outwardly from a terminal portion of said multiple threads a sufficient distance to permit said threads to force a fold of material from a waxed paper carton therebetween.
 6. The spouT of claim 5 wherein the multiple thread is a quadruple thread.
 7. The spout of claim 5 wherein said spout is manufactured from a plastic. 